Police work, dad helped shape Nationals MP

A new Nationals MP has his father to thank for not only influencing his life, but for helping him win votes from non-coalition supporters at the May election.

Pat Conaghan, the Nationals MP for the NSW seat of Cowper, said his father was the local doctor in the small town of Kempsey.

"During my campaign, I was complimented in a most peculiar way, when a constituent told me - 'I don't normally vote for your side but considering your father delivered all of my six kids I suppose I better'," he told parliament on Wednesday.

"Those types of comments were very familiar in the campaign."

He said his father was acutely aware of the disadvantages country people face, including the "sad" disparity in health for indigenous Australians.

Mr Conaghan, a former police officer and lawyer has taken over the seat from veteran Nationals MP Luke Hartsuyker, who retired at the election after nearly 20 years in the role.

He has worked as an undercover police officer focusing on drug offences, and says a national approach is needed for education and prevention for younger Australians.

"We cannot wane on our war on drugs, nor can we accede to a minority to consider legalisation through legislation," he said.

"Our communities are awash with the catastrophic effects of this poison, families torn apart and displaced, unemployment, violence, robberies."

He described his 12 years in the force as the best, but "most difficult, confronting, emotionally exhausting years" of his life.

The father-of-two revealed he met his wife Ilona while undercover with an assumed name, "mullet, earrings and goatee" and feels lucky to have come out unscathed, but says more needs to be done to help officers dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder.

The new MP became emotional when speaking about domestic violence, child abuse and the rise of mental issues and suicides.

"I am sad to say, that in my electorate, youth suicide far exceeds the national average."

He also took a swipe at Australia's former prime ministers for infusing politics with "celebrity, self-interest and ego".

"I believe that that time has now come to a deserved end, and the interests of this nation are once again in the forefront of the minds of those who lead it," he said.